Cricket World Cup final to be shown live on Channel 5… with Sky Sports agreeing to share coverage with terrestrial channel as part of their commitment to promote the sport

• Channel 5 have been showing a daily highlights programme of World Cup
• Also have an agreement to share live coverage of the final on November 19
• Sky have exclusive rights, but have agreed to sub-licence the final to Channel 5

Channel 5 are set to televise the World Cup final in what will be their first ever live cricket broadcast. 

The terrestrial channel have been showing a daily highlights programme throughout the tournament in India, and are also understood to have secured an agreement to share live coverage of the final on Sunday, November 19 with main rights holder Sky Sports.

Sky have exclusive rights to all ICC events until 2031, but have agreed to sub-licence the final to Channel 5. 

The surprise move follows a similar arrangement with Channel 4 in 2019 when England won the World Cup, although that followed last-minute negotiations in the build-up to the final after Eoin Morgan’s side qualified, whereas this deal was agreed as part of the highlights package before the tournament started.

England have already been eliminated following a shocking defence of the trophy, but Channel 5 are hopeful of securing a good audience, particularly if India reach the final. 

Channel 5 hopeful of a good audience, particularly if World Cup hosts India reach the final 

Channel 5 have been showing a daily highlights programme throughout the tournament

Sky were not obligated to make the final available on a free-to-air basis, but were willing to do so as part of their commitment to growing the sport.

Channel 5 have not previously televised live cricket, but had highlights rights for England men’s home Test matches between 2006 and 2019. 

Sky declined to comment.

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